scorecardI paid $250 for a jungle-themed hotel room with a treehouse bed and waterfall tub. I thought it was a fun concept, but I wouldn't go back.
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  4. I paid $250 for a jungle-themed hotel room with a treehouse bed and waterfall tub. I thought it was a fun concept, but I wouldn't go back.

I paid $250 for a jungle-themed hotel room with a treehouse bed and waterfall tub. I thought it was a fun concept, but I wouldn't go back.

Monica Humphries   

I paid $250 for a jungle-themed hotel room with a treehouse bed and waterfall tub. I thought it was a fun concept, but I wouldn't go back.
The author in the Swiss Family Robinson suite at the Anniversary Inn.Monica Humphries/Insider
  • Anniversary Inn is a chain of themed hotels. On a trip to Utah, I stayed in a jungle-inspired room.
  • My Swiss Family Robinson suite had fun elements like a waterfall shower and a lofted treehouse bed.

As a travel reporter, I've seen my fair share of stories about themed hotels over the years, from heart-shaped beds to rooms made of ice. On a recent trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, I finally had the chance to experience one.

As a travel reporter, I
An ice hotel in Sweden.      Henk Vrieselaar/Shutterstock

As I planned my trip, I stumbled upon the Anniversary Inn, a group of adult-only themed hotels with four locations in the US, including two in Salt Lake City.

As I planned my trip, I stumbled upon the Anniversary Inn, a group of adult-only themed hotels with four locations in the US, including two in Salt Lake City.
The entrance sign to the Anniversary Inn at 460 South 1000 East in Salt Lake City, Utah.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Known as the Anniversary Inn at Fifth South, the Central City location where I stayed has 36 individually themed rooms that sleep two people each. Depending on the style, they range in price from $200 to $320 for one night.

Known as the Anniversary Inn at Fifth South, the Central City location where I stayed has 36 individually themed rooms that sleep two people each. Depending on the style, they range in price from $200 to $320 for one night.
The exterior of the Anniversary Inn.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As I scrolled through the whimsical rooms, I debated between spending the night dreaming about cowboys in a wild-West-inspired room or if I wanted to be transported to Hawaii in an island-themed suite.

As I scrolled through the whimsical rooms, I debated between spending the night dreaming about cowboys in a wild-West-inspired room or if I wanted to be transported to Hawaii in an island-themed suite.
A few of the hotel's suite options.      Anniversary Inn

Then I came across the Swiss Family Robinson suite. The room's immersive jungle theme came with a waterfall shower and a treehouse-style bed that seemed straight out of my childhood dreams. I booked the mid-level room for a weeknight rate of $250. (The weeknight rate has since increased to $260.)

Then I came across the Swiss Family Robinson suite. The room
The Swiss Family Robinson suite at the Anniversary Inn.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Insider paid for the room, per our reporting standards.

Source: Anniversary Inn

In May, I arrived at the Anniversary Inn. For a themed hotel filled with colorful interiors and intricate designs, I was surprised by the simple exterior.

In May, I arrived at the Anniversary Inn. For a themed hotel filled with colorful interiors and intricate designs, I was surprised by the simple exterior.
The exterior of the Anniversary Inn at 460 South 1000 East in Salt Lake City, Utah.      Monica Humphries/Insider

But the moment I stepped inside, there was decor galore. Although the lobby lacked a theme, a framed mural filled one wall, a fake street light was stationed in a corner, and hanging from the second story were flower boxes brimming with fake flowers.

But the moment I stepped inside, there was decor galore. Although the lobby lacked a theme, a framed mural filled one wall, a fake street light was stationed in a corner, and hanging from the second story were flower boxes brimming with fake flowers.
The lobby of the Anniversary Inn at 460 South 1000 East in Salt Lake City, Utah.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was surprised that no one welcomed me into the hotel. After waiting a few minutes, a staff member asked for my last name and handed me a card to choose what I wanted for my complimentary breakfast the next morning. Then, I was handed a key and the staff member left.

I was surprised that no one welcomed me into the hotel. After waiting a few minutes, a staff member asked for my last name and handed me a card to choose what I wanted for my complimentary breakfast the next morning. Then, I was handed a key and the staff member left.
The reception desk at the Anniversary Inn.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was told my room was upstairs. I wandered around for a bit until I arrived at a door labeled "Swiss Family Robinson Suite."

I was told my room was upstairs. I wandered around for a bit until I arrived at a door labeled "Swiss Family Robinson Suite."
The entrance to my suite at the Anniversary Inn.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Unlocking the door, I was hit with a damp, musty scent. When I was booking, I didn't consider how having a tub in the middle of the room might impact the humidity and smell. The Anniversary Inn did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on this or the other issues mentioned in this article.

Unlocking the door, I was hit with a damp, musty scent. When I was booking, I didn
Two chairs and a small table are stationed under the tree-house bed in the suite.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Once my nose adjusted, I took in all the elements of the room. The first thing I noticed was a giant fake tree. The leaves, plants, and vines throughout the suite were all artificial as well, and I spotted kitschy replicas of creatures hiding among the branches.

Once my nose adjusted, I took in all the elements of the room. The first thing I noticed was a giant fake tree. The leaves, plants, and vines throughout the suite were all artificial as well, and I spotted kitschy replicas of creatures hiding among the branches.
A fake bird in the treetop.      Monica Humphries/Insider

In the middle of the room was a waterfall tub with easily enough space for two people.

In the middle of the room was a waterfall tub with easily enough space for two people.
The waterfall tub is next to the suite's front door.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Along the wall, there was a switch that redirected the water either to fill the tub or turn on the waterfall feature. The only privacy was a wraparound shower curtain.

Along the wall, there was a switch that redirected the water either to fill the tub or turn on the waterfall feature. The only privacy was a wraparound shower curtain.
The waterfall shower head.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Behind the bathtub was a small table, two leather chairs, and a complimentary bottle of sparkling apple cider.

Behind the bathtub was a small table, two leather chairs, and a complimentary bottle of sparkling apple cider.
In one corner of the room there was a seating area.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The theme continued along the walls of the room. Two walls were covered in colorful murals. One wall was covered in palm trees and the other looked like a rainforest with lush greenery and a waterfall.

The theme continued along the walls of the room. Two walls were covered in colorful murals. One wall was covered in palm trees and the other looked like a rainforest with lush greenery and a waterfall.
The rainforest mural in the themed-hotel room.      Monica Humphries/Insider

There was one closet. Two robes hung on the front of the door, and inside was a small mini fridge and safe.

There was one closet. Two robes hung on the front of the door, and inside was a small mini fridge and safe.
The exterior and interior of my hotel room's closet.      Monica Humphries/Insider

A winding staircase wrapped around a fake tree and led me up to my treehouse bed.

A winding staircase wrapped around a fake tree and led me up to my treehouse bed.
The staircase leads up to the bed.      Monica Humphries/Insider

From the loft-style bed with a treehouse-style design, I could view a TV and had access to a small shelf, which served as my nightstand.

From the loft-style bed with a treehouse-style design, I could view a TV and had access to a small shelf, which served as my nightstand.
There was a TV positioned across from the bed.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Back downstairs, I also had a bathroom with a toilet and a mirror.

Back downstairs, I also had a bathroom with a toilet and a mirror.
The bathroom in the Swiss Family Robinson suite.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The room had advertised a large fish tank, but in its place I found outdoor furniture.

The room had advertised a large fish tank, but in its place I found outdoor furniture.
A fish tank was advertised where the outdoor furniture was placed in the room.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Overall, I thought the room had many of the whimsical elements I envisioned a themed room to have, but some parts felt a bit run down to me. For instance, I noticed a hole in the wall camouflaged by a branch.

Overall, I thought the room had many of the whimsical elements I envisioned a themed room to have, but some parts felt a bit run down to me. For instance, I noticed a hole in the wall camouflaged by a branch.
A branch and a hole in the wall of the Swiss Family Robinson suite.      Monica Humphries/Insider

After exploring my room, I realized I was hot. I spotted a wall AC unit with a sign that told me the thermostat couldn't be adjusted lower than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. I didn't listen and attempted to go a degree lower. The AC unit promptly shut off, and I spent the rest of my stay attempting to turn the cooling element of the unit back on.

After exploring my room, I realized I was hot. I spotted a wall AC unit with a sign that told me the thermostat couldn
The sign on the AC unit telling guests not to turn the temperature below 70 degrees.      Monica Humphries/Insider

In an effort to cool off, I hopped into the waterfall shower. I turned on the waterfall feature and watched a stream of water tumble down the fake rock. The water pressure wasn't as powerful as my shower back home, but I thought it was a fun experience.

In an effort to cool off, I hopped into the waterfall shower. I turned on the waterfall feature and watched a stream of water tumble down the fake rock. The water pressure wasn
The author in the suite's shower.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Another thing I noticed about the room was how dark it was. Even with every light on, I still relied on my phone's flashlight to search through my suitcase. I tried to let in natural light, but the blinds covering the room's three windows were nailed to the window frame.

Another thing I noticed about the room was how dark it was. Even with every light on, I still relied on my phone
A nail kept the blinds from being opened.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Fortunately, the dark environment was good for sleeping. After a day exploring Salt Lake City, it didn't take me long to fall asleep.

Fortunately, the dark environment was good for sleeping. After a day exploring Salt Lake City, it didn
The bed in the Swiss Family Robinson suite.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The next morning, I woke up to breakfast at my front door. I requested a cinnamon roll, breakfast parfait, and egg frittata. The meal was included in my rate and portioned for two people.

The next morning, I woke up to breakfast at my front door. I requested a cinnamon roll, breakfast parfait, and egg frittata. The meal was included in my rate and portioned for two people.
The complimentary breakfast at the Anniversary Inn.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Finally, as I packed up my suitcase before checking out, I spotted a few pieces of broken glass on the floor. Since the room was so dark, I hadn't spotted it earlier.

Finally, as I packed up my suitcase before checking out, I spotted a few pieces of broken glass on the floor. Since the room was so dark, I hadn
Broken glass on the floor of my room at the Anniversary Inn.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I checked out of my first themed hotel feeling disappointed. I pulled up the hotel's online reviews to see how other visitors' experiences matched up. The reviews on Google were mixed. Some guests said they loved their stay while others mentioned similar issues with the thermostat, unwelcoming staff, and an average breakfast.

I checked out of my first themed hotel feeling disappointed. I pulled up the hotel
A screenshot of the Anniversary Inn's Google reviews.      Google

When I booked Anniversary Inn, I envisioned a quirky, fun stay. But after a hot, damp room, I couldn't justify the cost. I've stayed in nicer hotels with cheaper prices, and while the Anniversary Inn is unique, I couldn't rationalize the price for the quality of the room.

When I booked Anniversary Inn, I envisioned a quirky, fun stay. But after a hot, damp room, I couldn
The exterior of the Anniversary Inn.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I haven't given up on themed hotels, but in the future I'll analyze reviews and pick a more affordable option.

I haven
The author in the Swiss Family Robinson suite at the Anniversary Inn.      Monica Humphries/Insider
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